Any suggestions for day trips or things to do in and around Lucca? We'll be there the first week of October. We love food, wine, culture and walking...we have an apartment just outside the walls. Any advice or off-the-beaten-path places to visit would be greatly appreciated!
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
You can do day trips to Florence and Pisa by train. In Lucca, rent bikes to ride on the top of the wall that circles the city. Eat at Trattori da Leo. Make reservations.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16321 posts
Something more off the beaten path would be to take the train to Pietrasanta, a small town noted for its artists and sculptors. http://www.welcometuscany.it/tuscany/lucca/pietrasanta%20medieval%20town%20around%20lucca.htm You can walk or ride bikes from there down to the beach at Marina di Pietrasanta, which is at the northern end of the famous Versilia beach. There is supposed to be nice walking in the hills jut north of Lucca, up toward Bagno di Lucca and past there at Barga. You might ask at the TI if there is bus service to these places.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
You didn't say how many days you will be there. As for going to Pisa, the bus is much more convenient than the train. The bus will drop you off right at the main "campus" with the tower, the duomo, etc. As for Lucca proper, there's a deconsecrated cathedral that has a mini-concert each night with singers from the local opera school. It can be very uneven. We went three nights in a row and saw one amazing baritone and two really crappy tenors.
Posted by
Wichita
831 posts
Lisa, See http://www.knowital.com/html/lucca_-_villas_and_gardens.html Some can be reached by bike.